Juan Soto, Free Agent

[Slateman]

Let's not forget that they used the team as collateral to finance the purchase. What are the odds that they have a health balance sheet and what are they odds that they are still absurdly leveraged? Lets not for get that they're real estate developers

That is possible. Commercial real estate is in the crapter. They haven't announced any acquisitions, sales, renovations or new office leases since 2022.

[Natsinpwc]

They are worth $6.4 billion according to Forbes.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/02/19/billionaire-lerner-family-ends-years-of-uncertainty-for-washington-nationals-we-are-not-going-to-sell/#

The stock market has gone up about 40 percent over the past two years.  Even if the businesses are a little slow do folks really think the Lerners don;t have money? 

[HalfSmokes]

They are worth $6.4 billion according to Forbes.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/02/19/billionaire-lerner-family-ends-years-of-uncertainty-for-washington-nationals-we-are-not-going-to-sell/#

The stock market has gone up about 40 percent over the past two years.  Even if the businesses are a little slow do folks really think the Lerners don;t have money? 

There is a difference between don't have and leveraging one of their assets to the hilt (we know this is how the nats were purchased) and using revenue from that asset to pay down the debt

[Slateman]

There is a difference between don't have and leveraging one of their assets to the hilt (we know this is how the nats were purchased) and using revenue from that asset to pay down the debt

Right. Net worth is not the same as money on hand. The bulk of their net worth is tied up in commercial real estate. Commercial real estate is currently on the precipice of a major collapse. That would probably crush their net worth (oh now, they only be worth a couple billion).  And I can totally see them being leveraged.

But then how did Mark Lener push such high payrolls for so many years? He was still shelling out 170-200 million in payroll for several years. Not deferred but actual salaries. And yea, I get it was a different time and the real estate market was strong, but still, the Nats cannot sustain this low payroll and achieve any real success. And I don't think Rizzo would have signed an extension if he wasn't going to be allowed to spend money and compete.

[Natsinpwc]

There is a difference between don't have and leveraging one of their assets to the hilt (we know this is how the nats were purchased) and using revenue from that asset to pay down the debt

But their net worth is increasing even if that's true.  The rich get richer. 

[Natsinpwc]

Right. Net worth is not the same as money on hand. The bulk of their net worth is tied up in commercial real estate. Commercial real estate is currently on the precipice of a major collapse. That would probably crush their net worth (oh now, they only be worth a couple billion).  And I can totally see them being leveraged.

But then how did Mark Lener push such high payrolls for so many years? He was still shelling out 170-200 million in payroll for several years. Not deferred but actual salaries. And yea, I get it was a different time and the real estate market was strong, but still, the Nats cannot sustain this low payroll and achieve any real success. And I don't think Rizzo would have signed an extension if he wasn't going to be allowed to spend money and compete.

I'm sure they gave diversified over the past few years.  They are not dumb. 

[Natsinpwc]

Bottom line is that the team has adequate revenue to justify increasing the payroll.  They are not losing money on the Nats.  They are not going to overcome massive real estate losses if those come by pinching pennies on the Nats.  Revenue would increase of the team got better.  And the tea, value would increase also if they decide to try and sell again.  Turning the team into the Pirates makes no sense.  If they don't spend some this offseason then that's what the franchise has become..

[Senatorswin]

Do you have a source for the $100 million?  If the Nats would put a more competitive team out there they would have more gate revenue for sure.  Not asking the Nats to spend like that now but they need to but a hitter and SP this offseason.  It's time.

I think this is a good comparison on team revenue. I agree, it is time for the Nats to sign a pitcher and first baseman.

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/which-mlb-teams-take-home-the-most-revenue/

[Slateman]

I think this is a good comparison on team revenue. I agree, it is time for the Nats to sign a pitcher and first baseman.

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/which-mlb-teams-take-home-the-most-revenue/

We're right there with the Cards and the Twins, but have half the payroll those franchises are projecting to have next year.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Broad Street Sloppy Seconds

If he goes to Phillies........  Good Lord.

[varoadking]

And I don't think Rizzo would have signed an extension if he wasn't going to be allowed to spend money and compete.

He's 63.  He's not getting paid anywhere else like he is here...this is his last stop.  He has his title and likely couldn't care less at this point...which has been fairly evident for the past 3 years...

[HalfSmokes]

He's 63.  He's not getting paid anywhere else like he is here...this is his last stop.  He has his title and likely couldn't care less at this point...which has been fairly evident for the past 3 years...

Not only that, he has a ring and credit for assembling the 2010s nats. His legacy is secure. Current blame goes to the owners being cheap so he might as well get paid and keep doing a job he enjoys

[Slateman]

So the owners are cheap but they'll shell out 4 million bucks a year to not build a competitive baseball team? Yea, that makes zero sense. They could get that for far less.

Dombrowski is 68 and still doing the job. Rizzo is well liked amongst the owners and front offices. He would have another job quickly

[varoadking]

So the owners are cheap but they'll shell out 4 million bucks a year to not build a competitive baseball team? Yea, that makes zero sense. They could get that for far less.

Dombrowski is 68 and still doing the job. Rizzo is well liked amongst the owners and front offices. He would have another job quickly

He's paid to be a shill and keep the heat off the Owners...it's the thing he does best...

[Slateman]

He's paid to be a shill and keep the heat off the Owners...it's the thing he does best...

And they could find any lacky to do that for a fraction of his salary.

[Senatorswin]

MLB.com says executives think it's a two horse race for Soto, New York, New York.

[varoadking]

And they could find any lacky to do that for a fraction of his salary.

Not nearly as well as angry Mike...

He's the devil they know...

[OfftheBat]

Hector Gomez says Toronto will offer soto a blank check.

No way he signs up there lol

[varoadking]

MLB.com says executives think it's a two horse race for Soto, New York, New York.

He'll be in pinstripes for the remainder of his career...

[imref]

Per Heyman: the following teams have reached out to Soto: The Rays, Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Giants, Blue Jays and Red Sox.

No Nationals on that list

The Rays???

[JCA-CrystalCity]

The Rays???

They are offering half ownership and will move to his home  town in the DR. Boras's counteroffer is he wants half ownership of the DR.

[Slateman]

They are offering half ownership and will move to his home  town in the DR. Boras's counteroffer is he wants half ownership of the DR.

And the roof money

[JCA-CrystalCity]

And the roof money

it's sort of like, "why rebuild when you can play in a minor league park and use the money for Soto?"

[imref]

apparently the Rays made a serious run at Freeman a few years ago as well. I guess with Soto they think he would fill the new ballpark.

[Natsinpwc]

There was something on the local news this morning about the city of at Pete fixing the Trop. Didn’t see it though.